Transportable engine mounting



June 12, 1956 M; J. MITCHELL TRANSPORTABLE ENGINE MOUNTING 5Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 21, 1951 INVENTOR. MEL V/LLEJ MITCHELL BYfly,

MM 1- WQ-Qf ATTORNEYS June 12, 1956 Filed Sept. 21, 1951 M. J. MITCHELLTRANSPORTABLE ENGINE MOUNTING 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. MELV/LLt'JMITCHELL BY Que, 025;;

/4#M1W;4k ATTORNEYS United States Patent TRANSPORTABLE ENGINE MOUNTINGMelville J. Mitchell, Birmingham, Mich, assignor to Harry Ferguson,Inc., Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Delaware Application September21, 1951, Serial No. 247,725

6 Claims. (Cl. 97--34) The invention relates to an improved mounting forengines and particularly for engines adapted to be interchangeablyassociated with a number of different machines,"implements or otherapparatus to be driven.

The present invention may be utilized to particular advantage inconnection with implements and machines employed in farmingoperations,although it is by no means limitedto that particular field of use. Thus,modern' mechanized farms frequently include in their equipment enginedriven implements such asbalers, corn pickers, combines, forageharvester, etc. and machines such as feed grinders, mills, pumps, etc.,which are only used occasionally andthen only one at a time. Obviouslyconsiderable saving in initial. equipment costs can be realized if oneengine is used interchangeably with those implements or machines.

Such engine interchange has not been satisfactory heretofore for variousreasons. For one thing, the engines required for'driving machines of theabove general character are heavy and bulky and therefore 'difiicult tohandl'e. Moreover, the engine must be accurately located with referenceto the driven part of the machine and it must. be firmly and rigidlysecured in place. The time and labor required for this purpose has madeengine interchange impractical.

With the above in view, one object'of the invention is to'provide anengine mounting which materially simplifies the handling of an engineand enables it to be moved about or transferred from one. location toanother through the medinmof the power operated hitch linkage providedon certain types of tractors;

Another object is to provide an engine mounting including'a supportingframe which may be quicklyand easily attached to and detached from asubframe more or less permanently associated with the implement ormachine to be driven by the engine and which when attached accuratelylocates and rigidly supports the engine in operating position.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent fromthe following detailed description of the preferred embodimentillustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of an engine mounting embodyingthe features of the invention showing an engine assembled thereon andthe assembly in process of being raised by the hitch links of a tractor.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the engine mountingsupported on and secured to a subframe associated with an implement.

Fig. 3 is a rear view of the engine mounting showing the structure forattachment to the tractor hitch linkage.

Fig. 4 is a side view showing the engine mounting and engine supportedin a raised position by the hitch linkage of the tractor.

Fig. '5 is a transverse sectional view of the mounting frame showing themanner in which the engine is secured thereon.

For purposes of illustration the improved engine mount- 2,749,823Patented June 12, 1956 ing has been shown in a form particularly adaptedfor handling by a tractor equipped with a power operated hitch linkageof the type disposed in the Ferguson Pat ent No. 2,118,180, issued May24, 1938. The exemplary mounting has been shown as constructedfor-attachment to implements or machines of the type commonly used infarming operations. It is to be understood, however, that there is nointention to limit the in vention to use in that particular environment,nor is it the intention to limit the invention to the details ofconstruction illustrated. Onthe contrary, it is intended to cover allmodifications and alternative constructions falling within the spiritand scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.

In carrying out the invention, I provide what maybe conveniently calledan auxiliary engine assembly comprising an internal combustion engineand means whereby the assembly may be detachably secured alternativelyto any one of a series of supporting structures or to the power operatedhitch links of a tractor. When secured to a supporting structure, theengine is available for driving the implement or machine with which thestructure is associated. Transfer from one implement or machine toanother is effected by securing the engine assembly to the tractor hitchlinks, thus enabling the tractor to raise, lower or transport theassembly as required.

The securing means of the engine assembly may be associated with theengine in any suitable manner.- As a matter of convenience theassociation is preferably effected through the medium of a frame 10 uponwhich the engine, indicated generally at 11, may be more -or lesspermanently mounted. This frame is constructed and arranged for quickand easy attachment to and detachment from various supportingstructures, each of which desirablyincludes a pair of supportingelements or pads 12 and 13 spaced apart for cooperation with the frameadjacent its opposite ends. In this organization the frame 10 alsocarries the securing means by which the engine assembly may betemporarily coupled to the tractor hitch links.

The exemplary engine mounting has been shown in a form particularlyadapted'to be handled by tractors having a three link power operatedhitch of the type disclosed in the Ferguson patent above referred to. Asshown in Figs. 1 and 4 of the drawings, the hitch comprises a pair oflaterally spaced rearwardly diverging lower or draft links 15 and 16respectively trailingly pivoted as at 17 for universal swinging movementat opposite sides of the tractor diiferential housing 18. The pivotalaxis of the links is below and slightly forward of the rear axle housing19 upon which the rear drive wheels 20 of the tractor are mounted.

Each draft link is provided at its rear or free end with a ball typeconnecting element 21 apertured to receive a connecting pin provided onthe implement or other apparatus with which the hitch is to beconnected. Intermediate their ends the draft links 15 and 16 areconnected by drop links 22 with crank arms 23 fixed on a transverseshaft 24 journaled in a cover plate 25 which closes the upper end of thehousing '18. A power unit (not shown) within the housing is is operativeto rock the shaft 23 for raising and lowering the draft links, asexplained in detail in the above mentioned Ferguson patent.

The third or top link 26 of the hitch is disposed substantiallycentrally of and above the draft links 15 and 16. At its forward end thetop link as is connected to the housing 18 by connecting elements which,in the handling of engine mountings, have no other function thanproviding a pivotal connection for the link upon the housing 18.

For use with three-link hitches of the type above described, the enginemounting frame 10 is provided with three connecting members includinglaterally spaced outside members 31 and 32 having coupling elements forattachment to the respective draft links 15 and 16 and a central member33 for attachment to the top link 26. The connecting members aredisposed so as to conform to the triangular arrangement of the hitchlinks, that is, so as to present their coupling elements at the apicesof a triangle disposed in a generally vertical plane with its baselowermost and substantially horizontal. With this arrangement, themounting may be supported from the hitch links in a stable conditionwithout lateral tilting. Moreover, the engine and frame assembly ismaintained in a substantially upright position throughout its range ofvertical movement by the hitch links.

Turning now to a more detailed description of the construction of thepreferred form of the engine mounting and referring particularly toFigs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, the frame 10 comprises front and rearangle members 35 and 36 and cross members 37 rigidly joined as bywelding to form a rigid structure. Front and rear brackets 38 and 39 areprovided on the frame 10 for mounting the engine 11 thereon. The bracket38 as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and comprises a flat metal plate extendingbetween the front and rear frame members and welded thereto. The centralportion of the plate 38 is extended upwardly from the plane of the framefor cooperation with the downwardly extending leg of an L-shaped frontbracket 40 rigidly secured to the underside of the engine housing, asshown in Figs. 1, 2 and 5. The brackets are apertured for the receptionof a bolt 41 by which they may be rigidly secured together.

The rear bracket 39 as shown comprises an inverted generally U-shapedstamping extending between and welded to the front and rear framemembers 35 and 36. For use with the particular engine illustrated whichhas its rear portion offset upwardly with respect to the; front portion,the bracket 39 is made substantially higherithan the front bracket 38,as will be seen by reference to Fig. 5. At its upper end the bracket 39is shaped to provide a flat engine supporting surface and the engine issecured thereto at two laterally spaced points. In the exemplaryembodiment the securing means includes a bolt 42 (Fig. 4) extendingthrough the bracket and through a lug 43 on the engine housing and ascrew 44 extending through the bracket and threaded into a socketprovided in the underside of the engine housing.

Referring now to Fig. 3 of the drawings, it will be observed that thecoupling brackets 31-33 are mounted on and secured to the rear framemember or angle 36 which is arranged to face rearwardly or outwardly ofthe frame. The two outside brackets 31 and 32 are alike, each comprisinga channel shaped member having welded at one end an L-shaped shoe 45shaped to fit into the corner defined by the rear angle and adapted tobe rigidly secured thereto as by bolts 46. The arrangement is such thatthe brackets extend diagonally upwardly and rearwardly from the frame.Adjacent their upper ends the brackets 31 and 32 carry linch pins 47 forreception in the apertured ball elements 21 of the lower hitch links and16 of the tractor. In the present instance the linch pins 47 are weldedor otherwise permanently secured to therespective brackets so as toproject at the inner sides of the brackets.

The center coupling member 33 is dimensioned to extend substantiallyhigher than the companion brackets to conform to the triangulardisposition of the tractor hitch links as explained heretofore. Thisbracket also comprises a channel member having an L-shaped shoe 48welded to its lower end. The shoe fits into the corner defined by therear frame member and is secured thereto as by bolts 49.

In order to locate the upper end of the center coupiing member 33 inproper relation to the corresponding ends of the companion couplingmembers so as to hold the engine and frame assembly in an uprightposition, the

coupling member is bent intermediate its ends so that the lower portionis inclined upwardly and rearwardly similar to the outside couplingmembers and the upper end portion is disposed substantially vertically.Provision is made for coupling the upper end of the member 33 to the toplink 26 of the hitch in a manner which permits limited fore and aftadjustment of the point of connection. For this purpose a yoke 50 ismounted in straddling relation to the upper end of the coupling member33 and is pivotally secured thereto as by a bolt 51. The yoke 59 isshaped to provide upwardly projecting ears 52 spaced apart for thereception of the link 26 and apertured as at 53 for the reception of alinch pin by which the link is secured to the member. To provide thefore and aft adjustment above referred to, the side portions of the linkadjacent its lower end are formed with arcuate slots 54 adapted toreceive a bolt 55 extending through the coupling member, which bolt canbe tightened to lock the yoke in any adjusted position.

To reduce the strains on the frame member 36 and to assist inmaintaining the coupling member 33 rigid, an auxiliary supportingbracket 56 is welded to the intermediate portion of the member so as toproject forwardly for connection with the engine 11. This may beeffected in any preferred manner as, for example, by means of one of theengine assembly bolts 57, as shown in Fig. 3.

With the coupling members connected to the tractor hitch links as abovedescribed, the engine and frame assembly can be quickly and easilyraised or lowered with respect to the supporting structure on which itis to be used and as easily transported from one place to another. Theexemplary frame 10 is designed for association with the laterally spacedsupporting elements 12 and 13. As herein shown the supporting elementsare in the form of downwardly facing channel shaped bracketsrespectively welded at their forward ends to a cross member 60constituting a part of the frame of an agricultural implement. Theparticular implement shown is adapted to be drawn by a tractor throughthe medium of a hitch member 61. The implement frame member also carriesguiding and securing elements 62 for the engine mounting which mayconveniently constitute inverted upwardly projecting V-shaped strapswelded to the member 60 adjacent the brackets 12 and 13.

For locating the engine and frame assembly and for securing it in placeon the implement frame, the brackets 12 and 13 are formed with boltreceiving apertures adapted to register with complemental apertures inthe elements of the frame 10. Thus the bracket 12 is formed with anaperture 63 (Fig. 1) registering with an aperture in the rear framemember 36 for the reception of a bolt 64 (Fig. 3). The bracket 13 ispreferably formed with transverse slots 67 spaced apart to register withapertures 68 in the front and rear frame members for the accommodationof bolts (Figs. 2 and 3). The provision of slots in this supportingelement enables the engine and frame assembly to be located accuratelyon the implement frame and at the same time facilitates the assembly ofthe bolts therewith. Additionally the front frame member 35 is formedwith apertures 66a (Fig. 5) positioned to aline with the V-shaped straps62 and bolts 66 inserted through those apertures and straps provide fur-.ther anchorage for the engine and frame assembly.

Cooperating guide means are provided on the engine mounting frame 10 andthe supporting structure to facilitate centering of the engine and frameassembly and alinement of the various bolt holes when the assembly isbeing mounted. As herein shown, the brackets 12 and 13 are utilized asthe stationary elements of the guide means and cooperating elements inthe form of elongated metal bars 69 (Figs. 2, 3 and 5) are provided onthe underside of the frame 10. Preferably the brackets are constructedto present their inner edges normal to the axis of the frame member 60and the adjacent edges of the bars 69 are arranged to convergeforwardly. It will be appreciated that the bars are spaced apartlaterally so as'to ,fit between the brackets. Accordingly, when theframe and engine assembly is set on the brackets 12 and 13'jwith'theguide bars 69 disposed between the brackets, the assembly can beaccurately centered by simply pushing it forwardly. If the initialcentering is not correct the inclined edge of one or the other of theguide bars engages the adjacent bracket to cam the assembly into itsproper position.

The mounting frame may also be provided with various brackets or otherappurtenances for accessories associated with the particular engine tobe mounted on the frame. It will be understood, of -course, thatsuchapparatus may vary somewhat for different engines. The engine 11illustrated is a tractor engine modified slightly for use as anauxiliary power plant and it is equipped with all necessary accessoriesto make it a complete self-contained power unit.

One modification from the conventional production tractor engine is theprovision of a forwardly projecting drive shaft 70 which may be drivenfrom the regular engine drive shaft through suitable gearing and aclutch enclosed in a housing 71. Any preferred means may be provided forengaging and disengaging the clutch such as pivoted hand lever 72 (Figs.1 and 2). In the present instance the hand lever is fixed at one end ofa shaft 73 journaled in a sleeve 74 carried between two spaced brackets75 attached to and extending upwardly from the front frame member 35. Atits other end the shaft 73 has a crank arm 76 connected through asuitable linkage to the clutch actuator.

The engine illustrated is protected by a hood 77 which may enclose theusual fuel tank and radiator. A panel 78 equipped with the usualinstruments together with a starter switch 79, a throttle control 80 andchoke lever 81 is desirably provided at the side of the engine facingthe implement where it is readily accessible to the operator of thetractor. The clutch lever 72 is likewise located at the implement sideof the engine so that the clutch may be engaged or disengaged withoutrequiring the operator to dismount from the tractor.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that the invention provides anovel engine mounting which makes it practical to use a single auxiliaryengine for driving a number of different farm implements or machines.The advantages of engine driven equipment may thus be realized with arelatively small initial investment. Moreover, with the improved enginemounting the transfer of the engine from one implement to anotherbecomes so simple and easy that one man with a properly equipped tractorcan do the job easily and in a minimum amount of time.

To remove the engine from one implement it is only necessary to back thetractor to the rear of the implement and connect the three hitch linksto the coupling members 31, 32 and 33. This is done in the same simplemanner that the hitch links are connected to an implement. If necessarythe fitting 52 on the center coupling element 33 can be adjusted foreand aft to aline the linch pin holes in its ears with the hole in thetop link of the hitch.

After effecting the connection with the tractor hitch links the bolts64, 65 and 66 which secure the frame 10 to the implement are removed.The engine and frame assembly may then be lifted by the power actuatedhitch links and, while in such raised position, the tractor cantransport the assembly to the place at which it is to be used. It willbe appreciated, of course, that the tractor may serve as a support forthe engine while it is used to drive a machine, if that should bedesirable.

Mounting the engine and frame assembly on another implement or machineis equally quick and easy. The tractor is simply backed into a positionin which the engine supporting frame can be lowered onto the supportingstructure in approximately the proper position. It will be understood,of course, that the frame is placed so that the guide .bars 69;arelocatedbetween the supports 12 and 13 and preferably with .theframesomewhat to the rear of its normal mountedposition. With themounting frame 10- resting on the supports, the frame andengine assemblyare shifted forwardly and, through the action of the guide bars andbrackets, the various bolt holes are automatically alined. Securingbolts 64, 65 and 66 are then applied and the engine is ready forconnection withthe driven apparatus. Upon disconnection of the tractorlinks the tractor may be driven away forits normal use.

I .claimas my invention:

1. For use with supporting structures each including a pair of laterallyspaced supporting pads presenting horizontal top surfaces and-having.their inner edges generally paralleL-an engine. mountingcomprising anelongated generally rectangular fr'ame adapted to extend over saidsupporting padsandreston' their top surfaces, said frame and said padshaving apertures adapted to register for the reception of connectingbolts when the frame is properly positioned on the pads, and a pair ofguide bars secured to the underside of said frame and spaced apart tofit between the supporting pads, said bars having their outer edgesconverging forwardly and positioned to cooperate with the inner edges ofthe pads for positioning the frame thereon as it is moved forwardly in adirection generally parallel to the edges of the pads.

2. The combination with an implement frame having a pair of rigidbrackets projecting therefrom and presenting generally horizontalsupporting surfaces, of an engine mounting comprising a generallyrectangular frame including front and rear frame members rigidlyconnected by transverse members, one of said brackets being detachablysecured to the rear frame member and the other of said brackets beingdetachably secured to both frame members, and connecting elements on theimplement frame adjacent said brackets detachably secured to said firstframe member.

3. The combination with an implement frame having a pair of rigidbrackets projecting therefrom and presenting generally horizontalsupporting surfaces, of an engine mounting comprising a frame includingfront and rear angle members arranged to face in the same direction andhaving their flanges disposed in horizontal and vertical planes, thehorizontal flanges of said members coacting with said supportingsurfaces, said horizontal flanges and said brackets having alinedapertures for the reception of fastening elements securing the frame tothe brackets, and securing elements on the implement frame extendingabove said supporting surfaces adjacent the inner ends of said brackets,said securing elements and the adjacent vertical flange of the frontframe member being apertured for the reception of fastening elements.

4. A mounting for detachably securing an engine to a supportingstructure and to a tractor having power lift linkage comprising a rigidframe, means for rigidly securing the engine to said frame, means rigidwith said frame and arranged for detachable pivotal connection to thetractor linkage, means for detachably securing said rigid frame to saidsupporting structure, and guide means on said frame cooperativelyarranged with respect to an adjacent surface of the supporting structureto position said frame on the structure.

5. A mounting for detachably securing an engine to a supportingstructure and to a tractor having an upper link and power operatedhorizontally spaced lower links comprising, in combination, a rigidframe, brackets on said frame for rigidly attaching the engine thereto,a plurality of spaced coupling members rigid with said frame, each ofsaid members having elements for pivotal connection with one of thelinks of the tractor, connecting elements for detachably securing saidframe to the supporting structure, and guide surfaces on said framecooperative with adjacent surfaces of the supporting structure toposition said frame upon the structure.

6. For use with a tractor having a hitch comprising an upper link andpower operated horizontally spaced lower links, the combinationcomprising a rigid frame, brackets on said frame for rigidly attachingan engine thereto, a plurality of spaced coupling members rigid withsaid frame, each of said members having elements for pivotal connectionwith one of the links of the tractor, an implement structure having asupporting surface for said frame, said frame and implement structurehaving aligned apertures for the reception of fastening elements rigidlyconnecting said frame to said implement structure, and guide surfaces onsaid frame and support structure cooperatively arranged to position saidframe on said support structure.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,475,223 Cushman Nov. 27, 1923 8 Erickson Aug. 16, Griese Nov. 8,Oechsle May 19, Garson June 2, Riley July 18, Heaslet Apr. 17, StraubeJune 26, Baumgardner Aug. 11, Cline et a1. Dec. 6, Westmoreland Apr. 27,Wondra Feb. 22, Grabert Mar. 15, Hammond May 17, Donald Nov. 29,

